Page 108 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

“I think the bottom line is that we have a bright future ahead of us no matter what we do,” I say. I turn in his arms, meeting his amber eyes, and I reach up to touch his face. “I just want to watch our garden grow.”

He pulls me to him and presses a kiss to my lips, the sun warming our skin. The cicadas sing in the forest just at the edge of the prairie, and a mockingbird cries somewhere in the distance.

“You two coming in or what?” a voice bellows from the direction of the den, loud enough to carry through the early morning stillness. “We know you’re out there!”

Reyes and I break apart, laughter bubbling between us like a shared secret. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is.

“Fucking Grant,” I mutter, rolling my eyes but unable to stop the grin pulling at my lips.

“Hope you’ve got a high tolerance for bullshit,” Reyes says, his chuckle deep and warm. “Because I guarantee he’s got a whole reserve of it ready just for you.”

I snort, leaning into him, and for a moment, the world narrows to just the two of us. The soft dawn light filters through the trees, casting a golden glow over his face, and I press my forehead to his. His breath mingles with mine, his scent anchoring me like a lifeline.

The den is waking up—there’s no mistaking it now. Voices drift toward us, footsteps crunching on the gravel path. They’re waiting for us. Our family. Our home. But I hold on just a little longer, refusing to let go of this moment.

I want to carve it into my heart, make it something permanent that time can’t touch.

“I love you,” I whisper, my voice trembling with the weight of everything that’s happened—everything that’s led us here. “Thank you for capturing me.”

Reyes smiles, his eyes soft with something that feels like reverence. “I love you, too,” he murmurs, his fingers brushing a stray hair from my cheek. “Thank you for trying to kill me.”

We both laugh, and I gently shove his shoulder as I enjoy this moment before the rest of the world comes crashing back in. Grant hollers again from the direction of the den, and this time Peaches joins him, her voice carrying an edge of teasing impatience.

“Any day now, lovebirds! Some of us have lives to get back to!”

Reyes laughs, the sound vibrating against my chest, and I take his hand in mine. Together, we stand and turn toward the den, toward the noise and the chaos and the people waiting for us.

Our home.

With a shared glance, we step forward, leaving the clearing behind. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together. The forest gives way to open fields, the den’s familiar silhouette coming into view, and I feel something settle in my chest.

Peace. Belonging. Love.

Hand in hand, we go home.

EPILOGUE: TILDA

The baby arrives in April.

Not mine—I’m on birth control and far too busy having wild, primal sex with my mate to think about bringing a child into this world just yet. But this baby is still family, and when I meet her, I feel like my heart could split open with how much I love her already.

Charlotte’s baby.

Reyes’ grandniece.

She came a little early, giving us all a scare, but Suyin worked her magic. Now, I’m sitting at Charlotte and Elijah’s cozy little cottage, rocking the newest member of our family in my arms. The air smells of lavender and cedarwood, a calming balm after days of tension. The evening light streams through the gauzy curtains, bathing the room in warm gold as I sit beside Charlotte’s bed. She’s finally sleeping after hours of labor that had us all on edge, and I don’t dare wake her.

Daisy stirs in her soft pink blankets, her tiny fingers twitching as if she’s dreaming. I rock gently in the old wooden chair, the creak of the wood the only sound in the room besides her tiny breaths. She’s so delicate, so perfect, her little toes peeking out of the blanket for just a moment before I tuck her back in.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so domestic,” Reyes whispers, crouching down beside me.

I glance at him, smirking. “Don’t get used to it,” I whisper back. “I’m not trading in my leather jacket for an apron anytime soon.”

He chuckles softly, resting his hand on my knee. There’s a tired smile on his face, a mix of awe and relief. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind—Charlotte on bedrest, all of us on edge, ready for the worst. But now Daisy’s here, healthy and whole, and Charlotte is going to be just fine.

Reyes glances toward Charlotte, then back at Daisy. His expression shifts, something heavier settling behind his eyes. “I feel old,” he admits quietly.

I roll my eyes, shaking my head. “Absurd,” I say, keeping my voice low. “You’re what—like twenty in lycan years? Don’t we get a whole bunch of time back when we ‘catch the wolf bug’?”

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